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Saturday, July 30, 2005

The following is from Grand Army of the Republic ~ Department of New York ~ Personal War Sketches of the Members of Charles P. Sprout Post No. 76, of Lockport

Sprout who was with the New York 28th Infantry was killed in Action at Cedar Mountain, Virginia on August 9, 1862

Michael FinniganBorn New YorkCompany “B”, 28th New York Volunteers

…The first engagement I witnessed was the battle of Fallingwaters, and was afterward in the battles of Point of Rocks, Md., Cedar Mountain, Winchester, South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville and Second Bull Run.

The most important event in my military service was the Battle of Cedar Mountain, where we lost our colonel Dudley Donnelly. The Lieutenant Colonel was wounded, and Adjutant Charles P. Sprout was killed.

…The first battle I was engaged in was Martinsburg Va., July 11, 1861, and afterward at Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, New Town Va., May 24, 1862, Winchester Va., May 25, 1862, Chancellorsville Va., Wilderness, Petersburg Va. Pegram’s Farm Va., where I was wounded on the 6th day of September 1864…. I was captured at Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862, by the 3rd Virginia Confederates and confided in Libby Prison and Belle Island Prison from the 10th of August 1862 till October 1862. We were exchanged sometime in October 1862, in a half-starved condition and very ragged.

My most intimate comrades of the old 28th New York are now dead. Those of the 2nd Mounted rifles are Eli Kahler and P. Kinlin. Two of the 28th residing at Lockport, N.Y., are J. W. Little and W. H. Langdon.

I was wounded the second time through the calf of my right leg and had my horse killed under me, April 3rd, 1864 while crossing the Appomattox River near Farmville. Was in hospital thereafter at City Point Va., Baltimore Md., and Buffalo NY at the General Hospital from which I was finally discharged August 4, 1865.

…The first battle in which I was engaged was Nashville Tenn., opposed to Hood,I think about the middle of December 1864, after which I was in minor engagements during Hood’s retreat and in various skirmishes with Guerrillas and Bushwhacking forces during Winter of 1863 and 1864 in Western Tenn.

Others during Autumn of 1864 on the route between Franklin, Tenn., and Muscle Shoals, Alabama and vicinity of Florence Ala. Some skirmishes and light engagement during Spring of 1865, on a raiding expedition, starting from Waterloo, Ala., about the 1st of April and ending at Macon Ga., about the final close of the hostilities.

The most important events in my military experience were Enlistment and Discharge. ‘Reveille’ and ‘Taps’, “Boots & Saddles’

…The first battle in which I was engaged was at Locust Grove Va., Nov. 27th, 1863. Was afterward in the battles of Perryville or 2nd Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Opeguan, Bristow Station, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and many skirmishes….

One of the most important events in my military service was being put on detached service at the Front—21 months out of 34 months altogether which among other services, was carrying confidential communications, from Division Headquarters, to various officers at the front, and from the front to Washington, three times—carrying mail from White House Landing to the front—acting as Scout by detail from Division Headquarters in the Shenandoah Valley for about six weeks in the Fall of 1864. Winter service….

Sunday, July 24, 2005

The following is from Grand Army of the Republic ~ Department of New York ~ Personal War Sketches of the Members of Charles P. Sprout Post No. 76, of Lockport

Sprout who was with the New York 28th Infantry was killed in Action at Cedar Mountain, Virginia on August 9, 1862

John ReandoBorn St Lawrence, New YorkCompany “F”, 13th New York Volunteer Infantry

…My first experience in battle was at Blackburn’s Ford, Va., for about five weeks. After the 1st Bull Run battle, where I was captured by the 5th Virginia Volunteers. Was confined as a prisoner of war in Richmond, Va., from July 21, 1861 ‘til November 25, 1861. Was then transferred to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where I remained a prisoner till March 1, 1862. Was taken thence to Salisbury N.C.

The most important event in my military service was being discharged from prison and getting a square meal and getting grid of grey-backs.

….Was confined at Libby prison. The most important event was getting through alive and the Battle of Gettysburg, the most important battle in which I was engaged. More credit should be given the enlisted men for their patriotic and heroic services, which finally crowned us with success.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

The following is from Grand Army of the Republic ~ Department of New York ~ Personal War Sketches of the Members of Charles P. Sprout Post No. 76, of Lockport

Sprout who was with the New York 28th Infantry was killed in Action at Cedar Mountain, Virginia on August 9, 1862

John SwickBorn Tompkins, New York23rd Independent New York Battery

…The first battle in which I was engaged was at New Berne, N.C. Afterwards Pollocksville, Trenton, White Oak River. Captured Rebs’ Guerilla Camp pickets. Officers and men, the whole thing, 62 in round numbers near Pollocksville. This was done by a surprise without the firing of a gun….

One of the important events connected with my service was going out one nigh in the winter of 1863-4 and capturing a Picket Post of the enemy without firing a gun. The [Rebel] Post was completely surprised, and while they had a gun in position to fire, they had no time to discharge it…it was captured by our men. This, as well as all the above named events seem of much importance to me as connected with our position and Department of the service

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

The following is from Grand Army of the Republic ~ Department of New York ~ Personal War Sketches of the Members of Charles P. Sprout Post No. 76, of Lockport

Sprout who was with the New York 28th Infantry was killed in Action at Cedar Mountain, Virginia on August 9, 1862

William H. CramptonBorn Orleans, New YorkCompany “A”, 28th New York Infantry Volunteers

I Was promoted from the ranks to the Office of Corporal February 28th 1862 and was discharged as Corporal September 24, 1862 at Hospital in Alexandria, Va., by reason of loss of right arm, 3 inches below shoulder joint. Amputated on account of seven gun severe gun shot wound received at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia, August 9, 1862.

To me the most important event in the service was the Battle in which I was wounded in so severe a manner as to cause the amputation of my right arm, and the operation which was found necessary and performed at the hospital in Alexandria Virginia, called The Mansion Home Hospital.

Sunday, July 17, 2005

The following is from Grand Army of the Republic ~ Department of New York ~ Personal War Sketches of the Members of Charles P. Sprout Post No. 76, of Lockport

Sprout who was with the New York 28th Infantry was killed in Action at Cedar Mountain, Virginia on August 9, 1862

Lyman A. DietrickBorn Niagara, New YorkCompany “A”, 140th New York Volunteers5th New York Volunteers

The first battle in which I was engaged was Bristow Station, Va., after which I participated in the following engagements…Rappahannock, Culpepper, Bethesda Church, Cedarville, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Wilderness, Hatchers Run, Mine Run, Warren’s Great Raid, Weldon Rail Road, Petersburg, Laurel Hill Warrenton Junction, Richmond and Appomattox.

The most important events of my service were carrying a secret dispatch from General R. B. Ayres of the 5th Corps to Brigadier General Winthrop who was cut off from us at Weldon Railroad, Va., I had to make a detour of 20 miles to get around the rear of the enemy’s forces. Rode incessantly 23 hours, through rain and sleet, over fields and through woods, delivering the dispatch just in time to save General Winthrop’s brigade from capture. Was halted 3 times by the Rebel outposts, but escaped by having a fleet horse.

Just before the battle of Spottsylvania, I was placed on Vidette post with orders to remain till daylight and return. On returning found 10th N.Y. Cavalry outpost a mile in my rear. During the night our entire Army had retreated and it took me two days to find my Regiment. General R. B. Hayes, afterward, President of the U.S. called me to his tent to report. He expressed great surprise and pleasure that I had been able to escape and join the Army.

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

This 14-page manuscript letter was written by Private William Holloway Clark, on American YMCA stationary. Private William Clark of Louisville, Kentucky, writes an interesting, newsy letter to his sweetheart, Lila Robinson, dated Tuesday, February 25, 1919--only a couple of months after the Armistice Agreement with Germany was signed. Private Clark was with Company “A”, 110th F.S. Battalion, 35th Division—American Expeditionary Force

I don’t know whether you’ll ever survive the shock of receiving this letter, but I’ll take a chance anyway. Hang up your Map of France and follow me in my wanderings. I’ve been all over this country from North to South and back again, and the only part of it that is worth a @#$%@___ is Paris. And I only got to spend two days there. Think I’ll get a job as brakeman on a freight train when I get home. I’m so used to riding inside door Pullmans—the kind that accommodate 40 hommes or 8 chevaux. I really think the horses have the best of it. Left New York September 8, landing at Glasgow, Scotland, Sept. 21. No excitement at all coming across, although one of the ships from our convoy did sink a submarine. However, we knew nothing of it until it was all over. I had an elegant bed on the boat, slept on the dining room table all the way over….

Ours was an English ship, and we have all been hating the English ever since. We took train at Glasgow for Winchester, England, arriving at latter place about 3 a.m., Sept. 22….

Landed at Cherbourg morning of Sept. 25 and marched out to rest camp where we spent 4 days. Only reason I could give for calling it a rest camp is that your stomach got much a nice rest, near starved. Being a British camp, more love stored up for the British. Get out your map of France now. Left Cherbourg evening of Sept. 28 in horse cars from Neuvic, France, a small town about 18 miles from Perigueux. 34 men in my car and fine sleeping, not one day and two nights along the way. Arrived at Neuvic station 7 a.m., Sept. 30 and were billeted in a small village about a mile from Neuvic. I slept in a nice airy barn—quite airy. In fact, my battalion remained here until Nov. 3, although the 84th div. was made a replacement div. about Oct. 10, and 12,000 of the infantry were sent away as replacements….

On Nov. 3, we left Neuvic for Cours Cheverny. Had to hike three or four miles to St. Astier where we took train. While we were waiting to entrain, who should look me up but Major Ford. First time I had seen him since leaving Sherman…. When our cars pulled in, we were agreeably surprised to find them to be passenger coaches, not first class ones, but passenger coaches just the same. Spent two days and two nights on the train and the morning of Nov. 5, detrained at Cours Cheverny and took a 10-mile hike to Les Montils, a small town about 8 miles from Blois….

On Nov. 11, the day the Armistice was signed, we heard that the 309th was to be broken up and the men sent to other units in replacements. That night, about 10 o’clock as I was coming back to my billet after celebrating the Armistice, I heard that the battalion had orders to move at 1 a.m. that night. I don’t see yet how that bunch ever walked the 10 miles back to Cours Cheverny. Nearly everybody was half shot after the celebration, and it was a wild mob that left Les Montil at 130 a.m., Nov. 5 on the hike to Cours Cheverny….

We spent five days on the train, detrained…to finish the last lap of our trip on foot. It was in the region…that I had my first view of the battlefield. About 75 of us from the 309th had been ordered to report to the division headquarters of the 28th div. at Hendicourt, about 3 miles from Woinville. We arrived at Hendicourt on the afternoon of Nov. 16. Nov 10, the day before the Armistice was signed, Hendicourt had received a final shelling from the Germans. We remained at Hendicourt from Nov. 16 to 18. There had been a mix up in orders and the 28th didn’t want us, so on Nov. 18, we were ordered to report to the 409th telegraph….

While at Brunieres, ran into Joe Lazarus from Louisville, a Lieut. in the 806th Pioneer Infantry, a Negro outfit. He was the first Louisville man I had run across since landing in France…. Ran up on Dick Jones…He was convalescing from the flu and [from] begin gassed….